Information
Cheap Flights to Cyprus
22/06/10 09:52
When trying to book flights to Cyprus I have often found them to be expensive. This though was when I was taking them at face value and accepting the first prices I saw. The last time I wanted to book flights I decided to spend a bit of time and dig a bit deeper. It was worth it. Matt and I ended up flying to Cyprus for £89 return each!
How did I do this you ask? Well you need a bit of time, patience and perseverance but it can be worth it to save money you can spend on enjoying yourself whilst away. Just enter your preferred flight times and airport on the cheapflights tab on this website – www.holidayletsincyprus.com. You will be given some flight providers to click on. Click through each of these and you will be given different costs and a selection of different dates as well. If you are able to travel at short notice, be flexible with dates and are able to hold your nerve you can find some great deals as some providers reduce their prices the nearer it gets to the flight date. You also have to keep searching through and don’t always accept the price you see is the price you will pay. You need to take some of these through as if you are booking them to get the final price which can then be heavily discounted just before you enter your personal details.
We know leaving it until the last minute can be a bit daunting which is why we will be happy to hold your booking at one of our apartments until the last minute and accept your payment on arrival.
Give it a go. You never know how much you could save until you try.
Good luck.
Maria
How did I do this you ask? Well you need a bit of time, patience and perseverance but it can be worth it to save money you can spend on enjoying yourself whilst away. Just enter your preferred flight times and airport on the cheapflights tab on this website – www.holidayletsincyprus.com. You will be given some flight providers to click on. Click through each of these and you will be given different costs and a selection of different dates as well. If you are able to travel at short notice, be flexible with dates and are able to hold your nerve you can find some great deals as some providers reduce their prices the nearer it gets to the flight date. You also have to keep searching through and don’t always accept the price you see is the price you will pay. You need to take some of these through as if you are booking them to get the final price which can then be heavily discounted just before you enter your personal details.
We know leaving it until the last minute can be a bit daunting which is why we will be happy to hold your booking at one of our apartments until the last minute and accept your payment on arrival.
Give it a go. You never know how much you could save until you try.
Good luck.
Maria
Ten tips to make your pounds go further in Cyprus this summer
13/02/10 12:49
Everybody wants to enjoy a summer holiday. You’ve worked hard, and now you want to play.
1. Change your pounds into Euros wisely.
The Pound to Euro exchange rate is better now... than it has been (and it keeps on slowly but surely improving), but even so your Pound just won’t buy you as many Euros as it did in 2008. Change your money in a bank rather than a hotel to get the best rate. If you use ATMs to get your Euros, watch out that every transaction has a service charge applied.2. Stay in a self-catering villa or apartment rather than a hotel.
Independent research shows that on a per person basis, a villa holiday typically costs 50% of a comparable hotel holiday. Add to that hotel prices in Cyprus have rocketed over the last two years, whilst at the same time the cost of apartment rentals has stayed much the same. Not only will you get more for your money, you’ll be able to cook (or better still barbecue!) for yourself to save a bit more.3. When eating out, seek out tavernas the locals go to
. You’ll enjoy the experience more and it’ll be better value. You’ll be able to enjoy real Cypriot cooking with fresh ingredients rather than anothersteak out of the freezer.
4. When stopping for a coffee, avoid the cafes in the prime touristlocations
. A coffee by the harbour in Paphos will have a great view, but it’ll cost you twice as much as one in the shopping streets of Paphos. And you’ll probably half the cost again in the café’s in the villages like Peyia.5. When self catering, buy from the bigger supermarkets rather than thecorner kiosks and supermarkets.
A trip round Papantoniou, Orphanides or Carrefour in Paphos will save you a lot of money and the choices are much better. For fruit and vegetables, try the fruit markets – they’re a fantastic experience and you’ll get some great bargains.6. Eat like the locals.
The Cyprus climate means that fruit and vegetables are in abundance. They taste great in comparison with the products you’ll buy in a UK supermarket, even if they do sometimes look a bit odd! Also chicken and pork are both great value in Cyprus.7. Get around in a hire car.
Whilst taxis and organised coach trips have become expensive, renting a car can still be great value. Don’t rent at the airport – find a local supplier and you’ll be able to get around easily and cheaply. Don’t be put off by stories of Cypriot drivers – use common sense and you’ll be able to explore widely.8. Get off the beaten track.
Kato Paphos is much like any other Mediterranean holiday resort. To enjoy Cyprus at its best, stay in Peyia, Coral Bay, Sea Caves, Agios Georgios or Secret Valley. With a car, you’ll be able to pick your beach, pick your scenery and you’ll save a fortune over the prices in the tourist hot spots.9. Bring your suntan lotion with you.
Cyprus is an island, so everything that’s not made or grown in Cyprus gets shipped in – and that can make things expensive.10. Plan your days out.
The Paphos Aphrodite Waterpark is great fun for kids of all ages but for a family of four expect your day out to cost more than €100. Watch out for discount vouchers in supermarkets, local magazines and other outlets to help with this and take the free shuttle bus which runs from Coral Bay and Paphos every day throughout the Summer. Balance this out another day by taking a walk around the world–renowned Paphos Archaeological Park or fascinating Tombs of the Kings and you’ll get change out of €15 for the same family of four. Always have a good breakfast before you go out – breakfast bought in cafes can be pricey.Things to Know about Cyprus
17/01/10 17:55
Religion
The Greeks are Greek Orthodox Christians which represent 78% of the population while the Turks are Muslims represents 18% of the population and Maronite, Armenian, Apostolic, Latin, and others 4%.
Weather and Climate
Cyprus has a typical Mediterranean climate, warm and rather dry, with rainfall mainly between November and March. In general, the island experiences mild wet winters and dry hot summers which are separated by short autumn and spring seasons. The higher mountain areas are cooler and moister than the rest of the island.
Cyprus Languages
The official languages are Greek and Turkish with English often used as a second language and widely understood by both ethnic groups.
Cyprus Currency
The official currency in North is Turkish Lira (TL) and the currency in South is Pound (CP) however the English sterling is highly accepted.
Currency in South Cyprus
The legal tender of the South Cyprus is the Euro. Former Cyprus Pound was used until 31 December 2008. Check current exchange rates.
Currency in North Cyprus
The Turkish Lira (TRL - Türk Lirasi) is the current legal tender of Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, issued on January 1, 2005. The currency was accompanied with its inflation mostly in 1994; in summer 2001 seven banks failed. At present unit of 1 YTL is equivalent to 1 million old Turkish Lira that was introduced in 1983 (and remains valid until the end of 2005). The Turkish Lira is divisible into 100 new kurus (cents).
Electricity
Throughout Cyprus, voltage is supplied at 220/240 volts AC, supplied at 50 Hz. Plugs at 5 amp or 13 amp are generally of British type with 3 pins, but also exist some 2 pinned. Most anti-mosquito machines are fitted with the continental 2-pin type of plug, so an adaptor is required. These are widely available in supermarkets, grocery shops and electricians, or provided by holiday hotel itself. Since not many accommodations have a shaver point, it is better to take wet razors. Power cuts are quite often. Larger hotels and holiday villages have their own generators. A torch is therefore useful to bring, as there is little or no street lighting in the villages and along the minor roads. Batteries (including alkaline and Ni-Cad) are manufactured locally or imported, and are available in all popular sizes.
Time
Cyprus is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT/UTC), and seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST). Clocks go forward one hour for summer time at 3 am on the last Sunday in March and back again at 3 am on the last Sunday in October. In South Cyprus a recorded time message can be heard by dialling 193.
Cyprus Traffic
<http://www.cyprus.com/cyprus-tourist-info-things-to-know-traffic.php>
In Cyprus traffic circulates on the left, the traffic signs are international and seat belts must be worn. Maximum speed is 100 km/hr and vehicles entering Cyprus must be insured upon arrival.